Chair of Transportation & Infrastructure

There has been much talk about the new PSO service between Benbecula and Stornoway. While I
recognise the concerns of my constituents, I feel duty bound to remind the community of the very
dire choices we have faced; a choice between this service, or no service.

Whilst this route is governed by a Public Service Obligation (PSO) it is not a statutory service and
does not come with a ring-fenced funding allocation.

Officers of the Comhairle were tasked this year amidst severe budget cuts to find savings and it
was with some relief that we agreed the £450k per annum that enabled us to tender for the new
contract.

Airtask, operating as Hebridean Air Services, submitted a suitable bid and were duly awarded the
contract. It should be noted that theirs was the only compliant bid we received.

This contract is for four years and is in line with the available budget. Although the aircraft to be
used is smaller than what was previously used on the route, the service timetable has increased
from two rotations (return flights) on Tuesdays and Thursdays to two rotations on Mondays,
Tuesdays, and Fridays.

Hebridean Air Services currently operate PSO services for Argyll and Bute Council and Shetland
Islands Council. The Airtask group also have significant experience of operating from Stornoway
for contract work with QinetiQ and Marine Scotland.

Although not part of the PSO contract, there is also the potential to offer direct flights between
Stornoway and Barra during the summer months to test demand.

As the community will know, the vast majority of passengers who travel this route are making the
journey for medical purposes. We have long called for the Health Board to recognise this fact and
contribute to the cost of what is for the most part, a medical service, yet we still have no financial
contribution from our colleagues in health, other than the purchase of tickets.

Following a recent meeting with the Cabinet Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, Jim Fairlie MSP (Minister for
Agriculture and Connectivity) has written to CnES to advise that the Scottish Government are
exploring how they can facilitate closer and more cohesive working across public bodies in relation to transport for medical purposes They recognise the fact that transport and health need
to sit at the same tables to ensure the best possible outcome when it comes to patient travel.

Working with HITRANS (The Regional Transport Partnership for the Highlands and Islands) we
reached out to the partner NHS Boards to identify how we could collectively address some of the
challenges patients encounter to access health services in our region.

At the end of March we hosted a joint meeting with the regions NHS Boards to identify how we
can collectively address some of the challenges patients encounter. Chairs or representatives
from every relevant Heath Board were there, but the Western Isles Board was unable to send any
representative at all. If we are to find a way forward, then the Health Board needs to come to the
table.